Guro Reiten's late penalty saw Chelsea beat Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge as the Women's Super League champions went nine points clear of Manchester City.
Chelsea, who unveiled new world-record signing Naomi Girma just before kick-off in front of 34,302 supporters - a Stamford Bridge record - made a fast start as they looked for an early breakthrough against an Arsenal team that had not won a league game at the ground since 2018, with the visitors looking nervous in possession.
However, having ridden out that early storm, Arsenal started to grow into the contest, so much so that it was Renee Slegers' side who went in disappointed at half-time having not made the breakthrough.
Three gilt-edged openings went in quick succession as Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Emily Fox all went close, but a combination of poor finishing and excellent defending kept the scoreline goalless at the interval.
Sonia Bompastor brought on Maika Hamano at the break and the home side looked more assured in the second period, although they did not open the scoring until just six minutes from time after Arsenal skipper Kim Little brought down Lauren James - back after injury - with sub Reiten keeping her cool from the spot, unlike Katie McCabe who was sent off after picking up a second yellow for dissent.
The hard-fought victory gives Chelsea, who have won 41 of their last 43 home games - a run that started with a 3-0 victory against Arsenal back in February 2021 - breathing space at the top of the table.
As for Arsenal, Renee Slegers' team now slip 10 points behind their rivals as their 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions under the Dutchwoman - a record stretching back to their 2-1 loss at home to Chelsea in October - comes to an end.
What the managers said...
Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor:
"I'm pleased with the result, but fine margins between us, these games can go either way. It was a tough game which we did not control completely.
"We will take it game by game, making sure we take the right decisions, but we need to keep the right mentality
"The subs [Lauren James and Guro Reiten] made a great impact, they have a lot of qualities, it gives you a headache as a manager, but it is my job to make these decisions. They had the right mentality [when they came on], even if they did not start the game and this is really good for me.
"This is a huge win psychologically, but we need to keep the right mentality and players fit, but you never know in football."
On the arrival of new signing Naomi Girma:
"She [Girma] is a defender who is comfortable on the ball, she will bring a lot of confidence to the team, she can pass long and short and dribble.
"Out of possession, she is smart and has a lot of skill, so she will make a big impact on this team.
"She will not be ready for next weekend but we will give her all the support."
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers:
"From our end, we had to get through the first 10 minutes, we knew they would come out fast and try and get behind us, which they did.
"I was happy the girls got through that phase and we then took control and started to play. We played some really good football at times, but we were lacking goals. We created one or two really good chances, but next time we need to be more clinical and take our chances.
"We are improving as a team, definitely how we handle different phases of the game and we can now stay in a game whatever happens, so I am very happy with that development.
"We are disappointed, we had to be more clinical, it is small details as Chelsea are so powerful going forward, so you have to be concentrated as you know they will take a chance."
On the title race:
"Ten points' difference now, which is a big mountain to climb, which we are aware. We want to keep playing our games and winning and that is all we have to do. We needed to win today, which we did not.
"We played a top team, it was a tight game that could have gone either way. It could have been 0-0, but we have to move on, we are disappointed not to take something from the game."
On Chelsea's winning penalty:
"It is hard to see from the sideline, but Kim [Little] gets to the ball first. It is not the time to comment more on this, but we should have positioned ourselves better."
On the sending off:
"There were words between Katie [McCabe] and the ref, but I have not spoken to her. I do not know the details yet."
'Strength in depth sets Chelsea apart from rivals as sixth straight title looms'
Analysis by Sky Sports' Richard Morgan:
"Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor spoke of the "nice headache" of having the likes of Lauren James and Guro Reiten to call upon from the bench as the subs combined for the WSL champions' crucial late winner against Arsenal.
"James was appearing in the league for the first time since injuring her hamstring at Arsenal back in October, but it was the England international's driving run into the box that brought about Chelsea's penalty, even if Arsenal were adamant skipper Kim Little had made the contact with the ball just prior to upending the forward.
"The experienced Reiten was nerveless from the spot as Chelsea made it an impressive 41 wins from their last 43 games at home, a run stretching back almost four years, and it is that unrivalled strength in depth that makes the Blues firm favourites to make it six straight WSL titles come May.
"As if to emphasise that point, not only was Bompastor boosted by James's long-awaited WSL return, but the Frenchwoman was also able to celebrate the world-record arrival of USA defender Naomi Girma just prior to kick-off as she looks to end her debut campaign in west London with an incredible unblemished record in all competitions."
